AN OLYMPIC champion is in a critical condition in hospital after having a foot and fingers amputated.
Russian ice dancer Roman Kostomarov, 46, was admitted on January 10 with an advanced cold - thought to be Covid.
However, reports in Russia state that developed into pneumonia and required ventilators to keep him alive.
But after being transferred to Kommunarka in Moscow for specialist care, his condition showed little signs of improving.
Doctors made the decision to amputate a foot and several fingers following circulatory issues and gangrene, where a loss of blood supply causes body tissue to die - although some reports state part of the second foot was also removed.
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And Kostomarov was reportedly placed into an induced coma following a stroke and second brain haemorrhage that partially impacted his sight.
It was reported a few days ago that he was fighting for his life.
However, now there is understood to have been some progress and the former world champion was brought out of the coma.
It is reported Kostomarov performed at shows throughout the winter despite a slight cough and took drugs to mask the pain.
But now he will miss the major 25-city Ice Age show spring tour as he remains under constant care.
Kostomarov claimed Winter Olympic gold at Turin 2006 with Tatiana Navka, backing up their victories at the world championships in 2004 and 2005.
The world-record-breaking ice dancer retired from competing in 2006.
He is married to fellow Russian ice dancer Oksana Domnia and they have two children together - daughter Anastasia, 12, and son Ilya, seven.
